Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 22nd, 2026–Feb 23rd, 2026

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Dogtooth, East Purcell.

Carefully assess conditions as you travel.

We feel confident in the likelihood of wind slabs but uncertain in the likelihood of persistent slabs.

Confidence

Moderate

We are uncertain due to the complexity of the snowpack structure.

Avalanche Summary

Over the past couple days numerous dry loose avalanches were observed in steep terrain. These avalanches were triggered naturally and by skiers.

On Friday, a couple natural cornice falls were reported, these occurred on north and east aspects.

Snowpack Summary

By Monday afternoon up to 15 cm of fresh snow is expected. This new snow will be accompanied by strong southwest wind forming deeper deposits on north and east aspects. In sheltered terrain it will overlie up to 20 cm of facets.

There are 2 prominent weak layers in the upper snowpack

A surface hoar/crust layer buried early to mid-February is down 15 to 30 cm.
A facet/crust layer buried at the end of January is down roughly 30 to 50 cm.

Below this, the mid and lower snowpack are well settled with several crust layers.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night
Mostly cloudy. 2 to 3 cm of snow. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Monday
Mostly cloudy. 5 to 10 cm of snow. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Tuesday
Mix of sun and clouds. 1 to 4 cm of snow. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Wednesday
Mostly sunny. 1 cm of snow. 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind-loaded snow.
Strong wind is building wind slabs farther downslope than usual.
Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.
Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.
In times of uncertainty, conservative terrain choices are our best defense.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.